-I heard about Project Working Mom on a radio program. This site is for working mothers who are trying to go back to school (for both undergraduate and graduate degrees). They offer advice, resources and the opportunity to win full online college scholarships.

-For NYC area moms, there is new website called NewYorkCity.MomsLikeMe.com. It’s a free website that’s about New York City-area moms sharing concerns and advice with each other on every day topics.

-I first read about Lifebooker in a Springwise newsletter. (Since then, I’ve read about it multiple times.) This is a great new free site where you can find great spa and fitness club deals in NYC (for both men and women). You can book appointments directly on the site and get reward money towards your next appointment.

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-Recently, Congress agreed on an act to restrict phthalates from toys and children’s products. This ban (if not vetoed by the White House) would take effect in six months. Read about it in this msnbc article.

-There always seems to be some controversy or another in the parenting area. Recently, a BabyTalk article, Breastfeeding Controversy: Milk Sharing, is creating quite a stir. The question posed was “Would you nurse another mom’s baby?” Then real moms and “experts” shared their opinions. I say “to each their own (within reason)”. As for me personally, I say “No thanks. That’s not my cup of tea!”

-If you are looking for more online reading pleasure, view this Top 100 Parenting and Child Rearing Blogs list that was compiled by X-Ray Technician Schools. (I have NO idea what the link is between x-ray technician schools and parenting, but I like a lot of the blogs on the list.)

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Here are a few links that you might be interested in reading:

-This USA TODAY article focuses on a study that appeared in the Child Development journal. In the (small) study, researchers said that even having a television on in the background could be “an environmental hazard”/impact kids’ attention.

-This Slate article talks about the advantages that families having dinner together has on working parents (especially moms). In the past, most research has been focused on the benefits to the kids. My only “issue” with the article is that I haven’t found a mom yet who isn’t a “working” parent! (Working inside of the home COUNTS people!)

-In this MSNBC article the question “Is fibbing to your kids ever OK?” is raised. In sum, the experts say that it’s best to be as honest as possible as much as possible because lying to your kids can destroy their trust. That makes sense. Just think - how many times does someone have to lie to us (as adults) before we stop trusting them?!

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Here are a few links that you might be interested in reading:

-There is an interesting article on msnbc.com about how a baby’s temperament/ interaction with their parents during the first year of their life can predict the odds of behavior problems later in life.

- The Telegraph has an article regarding a study that shows how a baby’s smile gives their mothers a natural “high’. (Just in case you need scientific reinforcement for something that we moms already know!)

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Here are a few links that you might be interested in reading:

-You can find a cute, funny parenting joke/story (it involves a dad and a dog) here.

-This article about how pregnant women’s bad diet can have a negative effect on the future health of their children appeared in the Guardian.

-I found this article in Slate about how to make timeouts better punishments very informative. (My husband and I are constantly re-evaluating our discipline ideas and techniques.) I especially liked the article’s subtitle: “HOW TO MAKE “TIMEOUTS” LESS LIKE BAR FIGHTS.” Enough said!

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-Step Into Reading is a great, free site that teaches preschool - fourth grade children how to read.

-The Shop It To Me site informs you when online sites have your favorite brands on sale as part of their free service.

-CityPass sells pocket-sized ticket booklets that allow you to visit popular attractions in major cities. In addition to the admission tickets, the booklets also include “insider tips” on the particular city (i.e. New York, Atlanta, Boston, etc.).

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The U.S. News & World Report recently ran a great article called Good Parents, Bad Results. The article shares eight ways that scientific studies have shown that Mom and Dad go wrong when disciplining their kids.

I usually take “studies” with a grain of salt. (Back in college, I took a “Research and Methodology” class that basically showed how you can make data say almost anything that you want it to say based on what factors you decide to include/leave out. That’s why I’m such a cynic when it comes to statistics, studies and such.) In this case, though, the points make logical sense and I think that it can be beneficial to parents to at least consider them. Basically, the findings are based on research focused on what motivates children to behave. Areas covered include setting limits, being overprotective, nagging, praising, punishing, fun and more.

The one area that parents get wrong that stood out to me (more than any of the others) is “They tell their child how to feel”. I definitely have to be more careful with that when it comes to my oldest son, Michael. Our affectionate nickname for him is “Denzel” because he tends to be dramatic. Mainly, “the drama of it all” is hilarious. (As my husband asked, “Didn’t you go to the school of the arts for drama? That’s right - blame the mother!) However, at times, I can try to talk Michael out of a feeling when he’s being overly emotional. I have to remember to talk him through it rather than negate it. Point taken!

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For a variety of reasons (health, the environment, etc.), I have decided to cut back on meat dishes. One great site that I came across is called Meatless Monday. It is a non-profit national health campaign that provides recipes, ideas, and more all for FREE. You can visit the site here.

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Trendhunter Magazine has a great article entitled “Top 100 Baby Innovations - From Pregnancy to Toddlers”. The list includes both helpful (Innovative Baby Bottles - Adiri Natural Nurser is Like a Breast) and outrageous (Woman sells ad rights to pregnancy on eBay) list items and descriptions. The directory is good both for a few laughs (baby toupees?!) and for some shopping ideas (i.e. Preggie Pops).

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I won’t be doing a Father’s Day Gift Guide.  Like with the moms, there are just too many types of dads who like such a wide variety of things.  I will be highlighting great gift ideas as I come across them though as well as featuring the fantastic items that will be given away at our Father’s Day Playdate.  (The only gift guide that I do - at this time - is for kids around Christmas time.)

Below are two good online guides that you might want to view:

-Mamanista has a Father’s Day Gift Guide for 2008.  They share picks for a variety of dads as well as offer coupons and some contests.

-Cool Mom Picks also has a guide filled with cool Father’s Day picks.

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